Sunday, April 4, 2010

Paying his tribute to the SAAB Spyker Automobiles, Swedish designer Eduard Gray has come up with a vehicle concept called the “SAAB Spyker 9+ Tribute” that is not only pleasant to watch but to drive as well. Combining the elements of a mid-engined SAAB with the Spyker platform, the new supercar featuring low down aerodynamics will possibly generate power from an Audi-sourced V8 engine. Touting a big windshield that extends to complete the roof, the Saab Spyker 9+ Tribute allows a wider view to the commuters. His long, lean two-door Saab Spyker 9+ concept car imagines an evolution of Saab's Aero-X enhanced by some of Spyker's exoticism.

2010 SAAB Spyker 9+ Tribute

The ink is barely dry on Dutch supercar marque Spyker’s deal to buy Saab, but speculation as to what sort of alluring automotive offspring might arise from the union has already begun. Eduard Gray, an industrial designer educated at Coventry University in the UK and now based in Trollhättan, Sweden, has come up with a concrete vision.

2010 SAAB Spyker 9+ Tribute

The union of Saab and Spyker presents a unique opportunity to create a design that takes the best of each brand and distills their qualities into a single product," he said. Gray, who is Dutch and English, points out that a truly unique car can be assembled with the low-slung mid-engine Spyker supercar chassis and the design language at Saab. Spyker lends us its supercar chassis with a mid-mounted engine and low down aerodynamics while Saab contributes with the style, character and engineering making for a design that is as pleasant to look at as it is to drive.

2010 SAAB Spyker 9+ Tribute

Indeed, his six drawings of the Saab Spyker 9+ Tribute shows elements of both companies. Gray calls the work "a quick expression of my optimism for the future of the brand."

2010 SAAB Spyker 9+ Tribute

The distinctly Scandinavian design features a Spyker chassis with a mid-mounted engine and low down aerodynamics, including a system to reduce friction in straight line driving whilst increasing traction in cornering and braking. An enormous panoramic glass roof gives it something of a targa feel as well. Envisioned as a 2+2 model in the storied GT tradition, engine-wise it’s speculated to house a V6 bi-turbo capable of producing over 600 hp, perhaps powered purely by ethanol – we’re talking about the future after all.